Valve mechanism



UNITED STATES l atented January 12, 1904.

PAT T] OFFICE.

VALVE MECHANISM.

SPEGIFIGATICN forming part of Letters Patent No. 749,156, dated January 12, 1904.

Application filed December 10, 1902. Serial No, 134,716. (No model.) i 7 T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. BOLLINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Allegheny, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Valve Mechanism, of which improvement the following is a specification.

faucet at the water-service line.

The object of my invention is to provide a simple and efiective valve mechanism for controlling the gas and water simultaneously in heaters of the above class.

The best form in which I have contemplated putting my invention I have by several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in

.which I Figure I is a side View of said Valve mechanism. Fig. II is a plan view of the same.

Fig. III is an end view thereof. Fig. IV is a.

longitudinal sectional view through the same, disclosing the interior arrangement thereof. Fig. V is a diagrammatic view showing the device inoperative connection with the gas and water lines and heater-coil.

Further referring to said views collectively for a detailed description of said device, the numeral 1 designates the body of the devi e, within and at one end of which is formed t e water-chamber 2, which is connected to the main water-line 3 at the base and to one end of the heater-coil 4 at the opening 5 in the side Wall thereof. This chamber has arranged therein the piston-valve 6, provided with peripheral ports 7, through which the water enters the upper enlarged portion of the chamber to the coil when the valve is raised. The stem 8 of this piston-valve is adjustably attached theretoand passes up through the head 9,ter'minating at its exterior portion in a series of annular ribs or teeth 10, and to prevent leaking where the. stem passes through the head a cap 11 is fitted to the upwardlyexextending to the burner. This chamber is i also of increased diameter at the upper end and provided with a tapered valve-seat 17 for the valve 18. The stem 19 of this valve is also adjustably connected to the valve,passes up through a head 20 and cap 21, and provided at its exterior'portions with annular teeth 22, said cap being filled with packing 23 to prevent leakage. An intermediate or auxiliary water-chamber 2 1 is formed part way through said body, which is provided at its upper end with a head 25, cap 26, and stufling 27, which chamber communicates with the main water-chamber by a port 28 and is further. provided with a vent --opening 29. A piston 30 is arranged in said intermediate chamber, the stem 31 of which, like that of the others, is adjustably connected to the Valve, passes up through the head and cap, and is provided with annular teeth 32. A pair of standards 33 are attached to the ends of the body 1, which standards are provided at their upper ends with pointed screws 34, having thereon jam-nuts 35. A shaft 36 is pivotally supported at its ends between said screws and carries segmental gear-racks 37, which mesh with the annular teeth of the valve-stem.

In some instances it is' preferable to have the gas and water mains enter at the sides of the body 1 instead of at the bottom, and to permit placing the said mains in such position I have formed openings extending into the chambers and fitted with plugs 38, which plugs may be removed and placed in the'bases of the chambers when occasion demands such change. f

In practice a small gas-flame, termed a pilot-light, is at all times kept burning beneath the coil in proximity to the main burner, usually taken by a small pipe from the main line beyond the main valve and controlled by a separate valve, 01 a. sufficient quantity of gas and gas valves.

is permitted to escape from the main burner to maintain a flame for ignition when the gassupply is increased to heat the coil.

When the water is shut off at the faucet 39, the valves 6 and 18 and piston 30 will be in their normal or closed position, as shown at Fig. IV, occasioned by the back pressure of the water in the pipe and coil acting upon the piston 30 in the intermediate chamber, assisted to some extent by like pressure on the head of the main water-valve 6. The combined area of the piston and valve acted upon by the back pressure of water is greatly in excess to that of the under side of the water-valve 6 alone, so much so that the pressure above overbalances that below in the main waterline and that on the gas-valve combined, and as all valves are operatively connected to the horizontal shaft by means of the teeth upon their stems meshing with the segmental racks upon said shaft the back pressure will predominate, holding down the valves and cutting off the supply of water and gas.

When hot water is to be drawn, the faucet 39 upon being opened releases the water in the coil and pipe, thus relieving the pressure upon the heads of the piston and valve, at which time the water-pressure in the main line will predominate, force the water-valve up into the enlarged portion of the chamber, permitting the water to pass through the valveports to the coil and faucet. Simultaneously with the upward movement of the watervalve the piston and gas-valve are elevated, permitting an increased flow of gas to the burner, which instantly ignites, plays upon the coil, and heats the Water as it passes therethrough to the faucet. When the faucet is closed, the back pressure again predominates, as previously set forth, causing the piston to descend and at the same time close the water The air in the chamber be low the piston 30 escapes out of the vent-opening 29 as the piston descends, thereby preventing compression therein. The stems of the valves and piston are threadably connected thereto to permit said valves and piston being adjusted relative to the seats and ports, taking up wear, &c.

Having thus fully shown and described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a valve mechanism for controlling the gas and Water supply in automatic heaters, triple chambers, comprehending a gas-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the gas-service line, a valve ar-' ranged in said chamber between said openings, a main water-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the water-service line, a valve arranged in said water-chamber between said openings, an auxiliary water-chamber communicating by a port with said main water-chamber, a piston arranged in said auxiliary water-chamber, an independent stem on each of said valves and piston and a member connecting the three independent parallel stems of said valves and piston,said valves and piston arranged and adapted to all move equally and simultaneously in one and the same direction by the pressure of the water acting upon the one end of the main valve only and in an opposite direction by the water-pressure acting on the opposite end of said main valve and the auxiliary piston, substantially as set forth.

2. In a valve mechanism for controlling the gas and water supply in automatic heaters, triple chambers, comprehending a gas-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the gas-service line, a valve arranged in said chamber between said openings, a main water-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the water-service line, a ported piston-valve arranged in said water-chamber between said openings, an auxiliary water-chamber communicating by a port with said main water-chamber, a piston arranged in said auxiliary water-chamber, an independent stem on each of said valves and piston and a member extending across and connecting the three independent parallel stems of said valves and piston, said valves and piston arranged and adapted to all move equally and simultaneously in one and the same direction by the pressure of the water acting upon the one end of the main valve only and in an opposite direction by the water-pressure acting on the opposite end of said main valve and the auxiliary piston, substantially as set forth.

3. A water and gas controlling mechanism for water-heaters, comprising a gas-chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a valve arranged therein between said openings to control the flow of gas therebetween the stem of which is provided with teeth, a water-chamber having inlet and outlet openings, a valve arranged therein between said openings to control the flow of water therebetween the stem of which is provided with teeth, an auxiliary water chamber communicating with said main water-chamber, a piston arranged in said chamber the stem of which is provided with teeth, and a shaft carrying gear-racks engaging the teeth of said piston and valves whereby said piston and valves operate simultaneously by the water-pressure as set forth.

4. In a valve mechanism for controlling the gas and water supply in automatic heaters, triple chambers, comprehending a gas-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the gas-service line, a valve ar- I ICC IIC

and communicating with the latter chamber by a port, a piston arranged in said auxiliary chamber, an independent stem on each of said valves and piston and a member connecting the three independent parallel stems of said valves and piston, said valves and piston arranged and adapted to all move equally and simultaneously in one and the same direction by the pressure of the water acting upon the one end of the main valve only and in an opposite direction by the water-pressure acting on the opposite end of said main valve and the auxiliary piston, substantially as set forth.

'5. In the valve mechanism for controlling the gas and water supply in automatic heaters, triple chambers, comprehending a gas-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the gas-service line and a tapered valve-seat formed therein between said openings, a valve arranged in said chamber to engage said seat, a main water-chamber having inlet and outlet openings for connection with the water-service line the diameter of which chamber is of increased dimension around said outlet-opening, a peripherally-ported pistonvalve arranged in the lesser portion of said water-chamber between said openings, an auxiliary water-chamber located between said gas and water chamber and communicating with the latter chamber by a port, a piston arranged in said auxiliary chamber, an independent stem on each of said valves and piston, and a member connecting the three independent parallel stems of said valves and piston, said valves and piston arranged and adapted to all move equally and simultaneously in one and the same direction by the pressure of the water acting upon the one end of the main valve only and in an opposite direction by the waterpressure acting on the opposite end of said main valve and the auxiliary piston, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM A. BOLLINGER.

In presence of EDWARD Gr. LANG, W. JOHNSON. 

